Timemore Chestnut S3 – Hand Coffee Grinder for Espresso and Filter
The ring turns a few clicks further, barely a quarter turn, and suddenly a different powder falls from the same chute: fine and dense for a short, strong shot in the morning, looser and more open later in the day for a slow, clear pour. Between these two cups there's no tool change and no second burr set – just a turn of a knurled ring.
What makes this possible is a single burr set, the S2C890: a conical burr made from hardened, six-axis-machined SUS420 stainless steel with 58 HRC hardness. Timemore ground the geometry so that it pulls back the fine fraction in the 200 to 250 micron range – the particles responsible for rough edges and fast over-extraction.
At the same time, it increases the share in the 250 to 400 micron range. This tighter, more even distribution holds across the whole adjustment range, whether the ring sits low for an espresso or high for a pour-over.
The adjustment ring sits on the outside, visible like the focus ring of a lens, with 90 clicks per rotation and steps of 0.015 millimetres. Espresso lives in the range from click 1 to 15, moka from 5 to 20, pour-over from 50 to 80, French press from 80 to 90 – a number you can note down and find again next time.
The exact right setting for your bean, your machine and the day is still a search of its own: extraction is most reliably read by weight ratio, 1:2 as a common starting point, never by time on the clock alone. No shot is quite like the last, because the bean, the humidity and you yourself change a little every day – that's not a limitation, it's the part that makes it fun.
At a Glance
| Burr set | 42 mm S2C890 conical, hardened SUS420 stainless steel, 58 HRC |
| Adjustment | external, 90 clicks per rotation, 0.015 mm per click |
| Click range espresso | 1–15 |
| Click range moka | 5–20 |
| Click range pour-over | 50–80 |
| Click range French press | 80–90 |
| Factory burr gap | 0.075 mm |
| Bearings | Custom high-precision, 5 µm (20% tighter than the predecessor) |
| Housing | Full-metal unibody, aluminium, ⌀ 55 mm |
| Bean hopper | approx. 30 g (depending on density) |
| Weight | approx. 700 g |
| Dimensions | 182 × 55 mm |
| Handle | foldable, spring-supported, patented |
| Maintenance | tool-free drop-out burr system |
| Colours | Black, Green |
| Use cases | Espresso, moka, pour-over, French press, cold brew, AeroPress |
Who It's For
The S3 is for anyone who doesn't want to choose between espresso and filter: a short shot in the morning and a calm pour-over in the afternoon, with the same grinder and no second burr set in the cupboard. Whether you've just started grinding by hand or have been doing it for years makes no difference – the numbered scale makes every setting traceable, whatever your experience. That's our take on it, one of many; what matters in the end is what ends up in your cup.
What Goes With It
A scale suits a recipe you want to repeat. If you want something compact and reliable, the Normcore collection has that; if you also want flow-rate display and app support, look at the Acaia collection.
On the espresso side, a lever machine from the Flair Espresso collection pairs well with the S3. For the filter route, a pour-over dripper from the Hario collection or the Aeropress both work, depending on whether you prefer pouring or immersion.
You can order the Timemore S3 online anywhere in Switzerland, or pick it up directly at our showrooms in Bern and Zurich.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Timemore S3 ESP?
Timemore discontinued the separate ESP version. The current S3 now comes with a single burr set, the S2C890 – the difference between espresso and filter no longer lives in the burrs, only in the click range you set the ring to.
Is the Timemore S3 suitable for espresso?
Yes. For espresso you'll be working in the range from click 1 to 15. The exact right setting for your bean and your machine is best found through the weight ratio, for example 1:2 as a starting point – every shot reacts a little differently to the bean, the humidity and the day.
How do I switch between espresso and filter?
Via the external ring with its numbered scale, without unscrewing anything. Pour-over sits between click 50 and 80, French press at 80 to 90. The number is repeatable, so your recipe stays intact.
How much coffee fits in the bean hopper?
About 30 grams of whole beans, a little more or less depending on density.
How do I clean the burrs?
The tool-free drop-out system lets you take the burr set out, blow it clean or wipe it dry, and put it back in, with no screws involved.
Can I see the Timemore S3 before buying?
Of course. You can experience it in person at our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b).
Roastery Tip
For the espresso click range, we recommend a dense, chocolatey, nutty profile like Cozy Chocolate or Nutty Delight, with 1:2 as a starting point. For the more open filter range, a fruit-forward coffee like Wild Peach is worth discovering as a pour-over – the tight particle distribution brings out the fruit clearly. That's our recommendation, one of many.
